NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Ed Daniels, a fixture in New Orleans sports journalism and longtime sports director at WGNO, died Friday, Aug. 16, three weeks after suffering a heart attack while covering the Saints’ training camp in California. He was 67.
According to WGNO, Daniels suffered a massive heart attack shortly after midnight on July 26.
His wife, Robin, who accompanied him on the trip, said Daniels was hospitalized in California for 11 days before being flown back to New Orleans on Aug. 5 thanks to a flight arranged by Saints owner Gayle Benson. He never regained consciousness and his condition did not improve, WGNO said.
Upon his return, Daniels was taken to Ochsner Medical Center, where he remained until his death.
A native of New Orleans and a pioneer of sports reporting in Louisiana, Daniels’ career as a journalist has spanned five decades.
In 1992, he launched the city’s first high school sports program on television: “Friday Night Football.”
Daniels began his career at WDSU-TV and spent the last 33 years at WGNO-TV, where he was the station’s first and only sports director.
WGNO released a statement acknowledging Daniels’ impact on the station.
“Ed’s importance to WGNO cannot be overstated. He was the most important and influential person to ever work in our newsroom. We miss him and will continue to work to maintain the professional standards he demonstrated during his decades here. Our condolences and prayers go out to Ed’s family, friends and viewers.”
Daniels was a graduate of Archbishop Rummel High School.
He has received numerous awards for his work, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the New Orleans Press Club and twice named Louisiana Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscaster and Sportswriters Association.
The New Orleans Saints and Pelicans also issued a statement mourning Daniels’ death.
“Ed was one of the longest-serving media representatives in our market, covering the Saints for over 40 years and the Pelicans since they began play in New Orleans in 2002. A native of New Orleans, Ed loved his hometown very much, both as a sportscaster and as a person. He recognized the importance of local high school sports and their value to our youth. We send our thoughts and condolences to Ed’s family, friends and colleagues.”
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